TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Governor Rick Scott announced today that the final awards for the 2017-2018 Florida Job Growth Grant Fund have been made, granting six additional communities with more than $16 million in funding. The Florida Job Growth Grant Fund has provided a total of $85 million for targeted projects to improve infrastructure and enhance workforce training in Florida. Through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, Governor Scott has awarded 33 proposals that are estimated to return more than $321 million to taxpayers. Since December 2010, state debt has been reduced by $9 billion while Florida businesses have created more than 1.5 million private-sector jobs.

Governor Scott said, “When we created the Job Growth Grant Fund, we understood that targeted investments in infrastructure and job training pay huge dividends for local economies. By focusing on return on investment and projects that will help our private-sector thrive, we have ensured that Florida’s economy can continue to grow. I look forward to even more Florida communities benefitting from this accountable program, so every Floridian can find a great job right here in our state.”

The six awarded projects include:

• Marion County Board of County Commissioners ($5,500,000) will provide water, sewer and roadway infrastructure improvements to the Florida Crossroads Commerce Park.
• City of Hialeah ($4,000,000) for construction of a roadway network to provide access for a new industrial warehouse and logistic facilities.
• Collier County Public Schools ($3,019,900) to develop the Southwest Florida Manufacturing Excellence Center at Immokalee Technical College to provide training for careers in advanced manufacturing.
• Clay County Board of County Commissioners ($2,065,000) for roadway improvements to Atlantis Drive to support commercial development.
• Gulf Coast State College ($1,923,442) to develop the Gulf Coast Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Institute (AMI2) to train workforce to meet the needs of local manufacturing employers.
• Withlacoochie Technical College ($135,000) to create the Citrus Construction Academy program, which will train both high school and postsecondary education students with skills needed to meet workforce demands in the construction industry.

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) has received more than 250 proposals requesting more than $877 million in funding. These proposals were reviewed by DEO, Enterprise Florida (EFI) and chosen by Governor Scott based on their strong return on investment to the state and to meet the demand for a robust workforce or infrastructure needs. Return on investment was calculated to determine the best projects for the state and spurring economic development in the regions.

Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of DEO said, “It has been a pleasure to visit so many communities that have been awarded funding from the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund. This critical grant program is providing much-needed investments in public infrastructure and workforce training across our state. We are excited to continue working with local communities on new projects this year.”

Peter Antonacci, CEO of Enterprise Florida, said, “Enterprise Florida’s Board of Directors are very pleased with the investment in these projects. Each project will strengthen Florida’s workforce training and infrastructure, making Florida the best place in the world for families and businesses to succeed.”

To apply for the 2018-2019 funding or for more information about the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, visit www.FloridaJobs.org/JobGrowth.

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